Cashless vending system, method, vending machine, and center apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cashless vending system using a portable communication terminal, which can make a conventional vending machine into the cashless type with ease without requiring users to perform a complex operation. When a vending machine  1  detects that a change return lever is operated by a user after a settlement request code is issued, the vending machine  1  issues a settlement cancellation request code requesting the cancellation of a settlement according to the settlement request code, and a center device  3  performs cancel processing of the settlement according to the settlement cancellation request code received from the vending machine  1  via a portable telephone terminal  2.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cashless vending system and method, avending machine and a center device, and more particularly to a cashlessvending system and method, a vending machine and a center device, whichsettle sales of the vended commodities and services by means of portablecommunication terminals possessed by users.

BACKGROUND ART

A user inserts a value such as money or a prepaid card into each of manyvending machines being used at present to buy a desired commodity orservice.

To use such a vending machine, the user must always have cash or a card.Especially, it is inconvenient to have many prepaid cards for individualsystems in order to obtain various kinds of services. Meanwhile, aseller loses the opportunity of sales because of a shortage in change orthe like, and a card-usable vending machine must be provided with a cardreader/writer and many cards must be issued, involving enormous time andcosts.

Small and highly functional portable communication terminals such ascellular phones and PHSs are becoming increasing common in these years,and there are proposed cashless systems using such communicationterminals for vending machines.

But, the above conventional cashless systems using the portablecommunication terminals require users to make a troublesome operationfor personal verification and the like, and the users cannot buycommodities easily. And, the seller side incurs enormous costs becauseit is necessary to connect the vending machines online. Besides, theexisting vending machines have disadvantages that the above-describedsystem cannot be provided and its widespread use is not easy.

Therefore, the present inventor has proposed a cashless vending systemin Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-362973 that a settlement requestcode to request settlement for a commodity selected is issued from avending machine, a center device performs a settlement processingaccording to the settlement request code received from the vendingmachine via a user's portable telephone terminal, performs a prescribedprocessing of the settlement request code to produce a sales permissioncode and sends it to the portable telephone terminal, and the vendingmachine reads the sales permission code displayed on the display of theportable telephone terminal and controls the sales of the commodityaccording to the sales permission code.

But, the cashless vending system proposed in the above-describedJapanese Patent Application No. 2001-362973 receives the settlementrequest code by the center device and performs the settlementprocessing, and if normal selling is not performed because of a defectin communications or the like, the settlement processing once performedby the center device cannot be cancelled safely and securely.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a cashless vending systemand method, a vending machine and a center device, which do not requireusers to perform a complex operation and can cancel a settlementprocessing safely.

In order to achieve the above object, the cashless vending system of thepresent invention comprises a vending machine for vending commodities; aportable communication terminal used to purchase commodities from thevending machine; and a center device for managing the sales of thecommodities from the vending machine using the portable communicationterminal, wherein: the vending machine comprises: a first code issuingmeans for issuing a first code about the sales of a commodity inresponse to a request by a user who desires to buy the commodity; asecond code obtaining means for obtaining a second code about commodityselling permission, which is issued by the center device according tocommunications with the center device by the portable communicationterminal, via the portable communication terminal; a sales control meansfor controlling the sales of the commodity according to the second codeobtained by the second code obtaining means; and a third code issuingmeans for issuing a third code about cancellation of the sales of thecommodity according to an operation by the user; the portablecommunication terminal comprises: a first input means for inputting thefirst code which is issued by the first code issuing means of thevending machine; a first transmitting means for sending the first code,which is input by the first input means, to the center device; areceiving means for receiving the second code which is issued by thecenter device; a second input means for inputting the third code whichis issued by the third code issuing means of the vending machine; and asecond transmitting means for sending the third code, which is input bythe second input means, to the center device; and the center devicecomprises: a verifying means for verifying the portable communicationterminal according to communications with the portable communicationterminal; a settlement processing means for performing a settlementprocessing according to the first code sent by the first transmittingmeans of the portable communication terminal; a second code issuingmeans for generating the second code by performing a prescribedprocessing of the first code and sending to the portable communicationterminal; and a settlement processing cancel means for canceling thesettlement processing according to the third code sent from the secondtransmitting means of the portable communication terminal.

Here, the portable communication terminal has a display means fordisplaying the second code received by the receiving means; the vendingmachine has an image reading means for reading the second code displayedon the display means; and the second code obtaining means obtains thesecond code by reading the second code, which is displayed on thedisplay means, by the image reading means.

And, the vending machine has a display for displaying the first codewhich is issued by the first code issuing means; the portablecommunication terminal has an imaging means which is built in orexternally connected; and the first input means inputs the first code bytaking a picture of the first code, which is displayed on the display ofthe vending machine, by the imaging means.

The vending machine has a change return lever and a detecting means fordetecting an operation of the change return lever; and the third codeissuing means performs a prescribed processing of the first code togenerate the third code and issues it when the operation of the changereturn lever is detected by the detecting means after the first code isissued by the first code issuing means.

The vending machine has a display for displaying the third code which isissued by the third code issuing means; the portable communicationterminal has an imaging means which is built in or externally connected;and the second input means inputs the third code by taking a picture ofthe third code, which is displayed on the display of the vendingmachine, by the imaging means.

And, a cashless vending control method according to the presentinvention, comprises issuing a first code about the sales of a commodityfrom a vending machine in response to a request by a user; inputting thefirst code, which is issued from the vending machine, to a portablecommunication terminal carried by the user; sending the first code,which is input to the portable communication terminal, from the portablecommunication terminal to a center device; verifying the portablecommunication terminal by the center device according to communicationswith the portable communication terminal; performing a settlementprocessing of the sales of commodity by the center device according tothe first code sent from the portable communication terminal; generatinga second code about the commodity selling permission by performing aprescribed processing of the first code by the center device and sendingit to the portable communication terminal; displaying the second code,which is sent from the center device, on the display section of theportable communication terminal and presenting it to the vendingmachine; reading the second code, which is displayed on the displaysection of the portable communication terminal and presented to thevending machine, by the image reading section of the vending machine;controlling the sales of commodity in the vending machine according tothe second code read by the image reading section; issuing a third codeabout cancellation of the sales of the commodity from the vendingmachine in response to an operation by the user of the vending machine;sending the third code to the center device when the third code isissued by the third code issuing means of the vending machine; andcanceling the settlement processing by the center device according tothe third code sent from the portable communication terminal.

Here, the portable communication terminal displays the second code onthe display section thereof; and the vending machine obtains the secondcode by reading the second code displayed on the display section of theportable communication terminal by the image reading means.

The vending machine has a display for displaying the first code; and theportable communication terminal inputs the first code by taking apicture of the first code, which is displayed on the display of thevending machine, by an imaging means which is built in or externallyconnected to.

The vending machine performs a prescribed processing of the first codeto generate the third code and issues it when an operation of a changereturn lever of the vending machine is detected after the first code isissued.

The vending machine has a display for displaying the third code; and theportable communication terminal inputs the third code by taking apicture of the third code, which is displayed on the display of thevending machine, by an imaging means which is built in or externallyconnected to.

And, the vending machine of the present invention is a vending machinefrom which a user can buy commodities by using a portable communicationterminal possessed by the user, comprising: a first code issuing meansfor issuing a first code about the sales of a commodity in response to arequest by the user desiring the sales of the commodity; a second codeobtaining means for obtaining a second code about commodity sellingpermission, which is issued by a center device according tocommunications with the center device by the portable communicationterminal, via the portable communication terminal; a sales control meansfor controlling the sales of the commodity according to the second codeobtained by the second code obtaining means; and a third code issuingmeans for issuing a third code about cancellation of the sales of thecommodity according to an operation by the user.

Here, the third code issuing means performs a prescribed processing ofthe first code to generate the third code and issues it when anoperation of a change return lever is detected after the first code isissued by the first code issuing means.

The center device of the present invention is a center device forsettling sales made by a vending machine via a portable communicationterminal possessed by a user, comprising: a verifying means forverifying the portable communication terminal according tocommunications with the portable communication terminal; a settlementprocessing means for performing a settlement processing according to afirst code about the sales of a commodity sent from the portablecommunication terminal; a second code issuing means for generating asecond code about commodity selling permission by performing aprescribed processing of the first code and sending it to the portablecommunication terminal; and a settlement processing cancel means forreceiving a third code about the cancellation of the commodity salesissued by the vending machine according to an operation of the vendingmachine via the portable communication terminal and canceling thesettlement processing according to the received third code.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic structure ofthe cashless vending system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a structure of thevending machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a structure of thecenter device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of a commodity sales processing; and

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of a sales canceling processing.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the cashless vending system according to the presentinvention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of the cashlessvending system according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the cashless vending system comprises a vending machine 1which sells commodities or services, a portable telephone terminal 2possessed by a user, and a center device 3 which is installed in acompany managing the vending machine 1, a company selling as an agency,or the like and connected to a communication network such as theInternet to perform collection of information from the portabletelephone terminal 2, storage and management.

The vending machine 1 issues a settlement request code (first code) atthe time of selling a commodity. A buyer sends the issued settlementrequest code to the center device 3 by the buyer's portable telephoneterminal 2.

The center device 3 performs a prescribed settlement processingaccording to the settlement request code sent from the portabletelephone terminal 2 and produces a sales permission code (second code)and sends it to the portable telephone terminal 2.

The sales permission code sent from the center device 3 is displayed onthe display (not shown) of the portable telephone terminal 2, and thebuyer presents the sales permission code displayed on the display (notshown) of the portable telephone terminal 2 to the vending machine 1.The vending machine 1 reads the presented sales permission code andperforms a commodity sales processing according to the read salespermission code.

When the sales permission code is not input after the settlement requestcode is issued and an operation of a change return lever (not shown) isdetected, the center device 3 issues a settlement cancellation requestcode (third code). And, the buyer sends the issued settlementcancellation request code to the center device 3 by the portabletelephone terminal 2. The center device 3 performs a settlementcancellation processing to cancel the settlement processing, which isperformed based on the corresponding settlement request code, accordingto the settlement cancellation request code sent from the portabletelephone terminal 2.

Here, a structure of the vending machine 1 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the vending machine1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vending machine 1 comprises a main controlsection 11, a code generation section 12, a code display section 13, animage reading section 14, a keyboard terminal section 15, a coinhandling section 16, a paper money handling section 17, a commodityconveying section 18, and columns 19 (19-1 to 19-n).

The main control section 11 controls the individual sections of thevending machine 1 to control the sales of a commodity and the issue of asettlement request code and a settlement cancellation request code. Thecode generation section 12 generates the settlement request code and thesettlement cancellation request code according to the control signalfrom the main control section 11. The settlement request code orsettlement cancellation request code generated by the code generationsection 12 is displayed as visible information (a character string, animage, etc.) by the code display section 13.

The image reading section 14 reads the screen of the portable telephoneterminal 2. The keyboard terminal section 15 is used to make varioussettings such as prices of commodities being sold. The coin handlingsection 16 receives coins as a price for commodities and returns change,and the paper money handling section 17 processes to receive papermoney. The commodity conveying section 18 processes to discharge acommodity according to the control signal from the main control section11 and controls the discharge of commodities stored in the columns 19.The columns 19 store various kinds of commodities.

The vending machine 1 allows two ways of settlements including a cashsettlement and a cashless settlement using the portable telephoneterminal 2, and when coins or paper money are put into the vendingmachine 1 through an unshown coin insertion port or paper moneyinsertion port, the vending machine 1 automatically shifts to a cashsettlement mode. When the user operates to request the cashlesssettlement, the vending machine 1 shifts to the cashless settlementmode.

Here, the operation to request the cashless settlement is, for example,an operation to push a cashless sales button mounted on the vendingmachine 1.

When it is made possible to allow only the cashless settlement using theportable telephone terminal 2, the coin handling section 16 and thepaper money handling section 17 become unnecessary.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a structure of the center device 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the center device 3 is comprised of a main controlsection 31, a communication control section 32 and a data storagesection 33.

The main control section 31 controls the individual sections of thecenter device 3 to perform the settlement processing and the like. Thecommunication control section 32 is connected to a network such as theInternet to control the exchange of data with the portable telephoneterminal 2. The data storage section 33 stores various kinds of datanecessary for the settlement processing.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of a commodity sales processingaccording to the cashless settlement mode.

When a user operates the vending machine 1 to request the cashlesssettlement (step 101), the vending machine 1 falls in a state capable ofreceiving the selection of a commodity from the user (step 102), theuser selects a commodity (step 103), and a settlement request codegeneration processing is performed (step 104).

Here, the settlement request code contains commodity information such asthe type, price and the like of a selected commodity, informationinherent to the settlement request code, address information of thecenter device 3, and the like. Among them, the information inherent tothe settlement request code may be formed of, for example, a serialnumber which is issued every time a commodity is selected or acombination of random numbers and a verification code of the vendingmachine 1 if the settlement request code can be specified.

The vending machine 1 which has generated the settlement request codevisually displays the settlement request code on the display section 13(step 105). Here, the settlement request code is displayed as acharacter string comprising figures, characters and marks or image datasuch as a one-dimensional bar code or a two-dimensional bar code. And,the user inputs the settlement request code displayed on the codedisplay section 13 to the portable telephone terminal 2 (step 106).

Here, the input of the settlement request code to the portable telephoneterminal 2 is made via the key input section of the portable telephoneterminal 2, or if the portable telephone terminal 2 has a built-inimaging function or can use an imaging attachment, the imaging functioncan be used to input by picturing the settlement request code displayedon the code display section 13.

When the settlement request code is input, the portable telephoneterminal 2 accesses the center device 3 according to the addressinformation of the center device 3 contained in the settlement requestcode to send the settlement request code (step 107).

Upon receiving the settlement request code, the center device 3 performsfirst a processing of verifying the portable telephone terminal 2 (step108). This verification processing is performed according to theinformation previously registered in the data storage section 33. Afterverifying the portable telephone terminal 2, the center device 3performs a settlement processing according to the received settlementrequest code (step 109).

As a method for the settlement processing, for example, the data storagesection 33 stores the amount spent by each user every time thesettlement processing is performed, and an actual settlement is madecollectively on a prescribed due date. As another method, there can beapplied a prepaid method that an amount previously deposited with amanagement company or the like of the vending machine 1 by the user isstored in the data storage section 33 for each user, and a used amountis charged to the deposited amount every time the settlement processingis made.

In the above-described settlement processing, the center device 3performs a prescribed processing of the settlement request code sentfrom the portable telephone terminal 2 to generate the sales permissioncode and sends it to the portable telephone terminal 2 (step 110). Theportable telephone terminal 2 displays the received sales permissioncode as visible information on an unshown display section.

Here, the sales permission code is shown on the portable telephoneterminal 2 as, for example, a character string comprising figures,characters and marks or image data such as a one-dimensional bar code ora two-dimensional bar code.

The user presents the sales permission code displayed on the displaysection of the portable telephone terminal 2 to the image readingsection 14 of the vending machine 1 (step 111) and operates to requestreading of the sales permission code (step 112).

Here, the operation to request the reading of the sales permission codeis performed by, for example, pushing the image reading button mountedon the vending machine 1.

According to the reading request operation by the user, the vendingmachine 1 reads the sales permission code displayed on the displaysection of the portable telephone terminal 2 by the image readingsection 14 (step 113) and analyzes the read sales permission code toverify the center device 3 (step 114).

The verification processing of the center device 3 by the vendingmachine 1 is performed by conducting a prescribed processing of thereceived sales permission code to reproduce the settlement request codeand comparing the reproduced settlement request code and the previouslygenerated settlement request code. If they agree with each other, thevending machine 1 determines the validity of the center device 3, whichdetermines the settlement request code generated by the center device 3as the sales permission code by the correct processing.

After the verification processing is completed, the vending machine 1activates the commodity conveying section 18 to provide the user withthe commodity (step 115).

It may be configured that, at the time of the verification of theportable telephone terminal 2 in the step 108, the center device 3requires the user to input a password via the portable telephoneterminal 2 to verify the user.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of the processing in the cashlesssettlement mode when the sales permission code is not input after thesettlement request code is issued by the vending machine 1 and a changereturn lever is operated.

After issuing the settlement request code (step 201), when detecting theoperation of the change return lever (step 202), the vending machine 1generates a settlement cancellation request code according to the issuedsettlement request code (step 203).

Here, the settlement cancellation request code contains specificinformation for specifying the source settlement request code, dateinformation, address information on the center device 3, and the like.

The vending machine 1 which has generated the settlement cancellationrequest code visually displays the settlement cancellation request codeon the display section 13 (step 204). The settlement cancellationrequest code is shown as a character string comprising figures,characters and marks or image data such as a one-dimensional bar code ora two-dimensional bar code. And, the user inputs the settlementcancellation request code displayed on the code display section 13 tothe portable telephone terminal 2 (step 205).

Here, the settlement cancellation request code can be input to theportable telephone terminal 2 in the same way as the input of thesettlement request code.

When the settlement cancellation request code is input, the portabletelephone terminal 2 accesses the center device 3 according to theaddress information on the center device 3 contained in the settlementcancellation request code and sends the settlement cancellation requestcode (step 206).

The possibility that the buyer operates the change return lever afterthe settlement request code is issued by the vending machine 1 is:

-   -   (1) the buyer changes his/her mind before sending the settlement        request code to the center device 3 and cancels the purchase (in        this case, the settlement processing was not performed by the        center device 3),    -   (2) the settlement request code is sent to the center device 3        but the sales permission code could not be received by the        portable telephone terminal 2 for some reason that        communications were defective or the like (in this case, it is        not known whether the settlement processing was performed or not        by the center device 3), or    -   (3) the buyer changes his/her mind and cancels the purchase        after receiving the sales permission code from the center device        3 (in this case, the settlement processing was performed by the        center device 3).

Accordingly, the center device 3 stores a settlement processing historyin association with the settlement request code for each user.

Upon receiving the settlement cancellation request code, the centerdevice 3 evaluates correctness of the received settlement cancellationrequest code by a prescribed method (step 207). If it is correct, thecenter device 3 specifies the settlement request code, which is thesource of the settlement cancellation request code, according to thespecific information contained in the settlement cancellation requestcode and searches for a settlement history corresponding to thesettlement request code (step 208). If the corresponding settlementhistory is not found (NO in step 209), the processing is terminated asit is. Meanwhile, if the corresponding settlement history is found (YESin step 209), this settlement history is cancelled (step 210). Themethod of canceling the settlement history is performed by, for example,when a settlement method based on the prepaid system that the usedamount is deducted at the time of the settlement processing from thetotal amount previously deposited at the management company or the likeof the vending machine 1 is adopted, adding the total amount deducted atthe time of the pertinent settlement to the balance.

In the above-described embodiment, the settlement request code and thesettlement cancellation request code are issued by the vending machine 1by displaying on the code display section 13. But, they may be printedout on a prescribed sheet as another method or may be issued bycommunicating with the portable communication terminal 2 by any of radiocommunications, infrared communications and voice communications.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, when a user cancels the purchase ofa commodity after the settlement request code (first code) is issued bythe vending machine, the vending machine issues a settlementcancellation request code (third code) and sends the settlementcancellation request code to the center device by using the portablecommunication terminal, and the center device performs the cancelingprocessing of the pertinent settlement according to the settlementcancellation request code. Therefore, the user can cancel easily andsecurely without executing a complex operation when the user purchases adesired commodity or a desired service from the cashless vending machinevia the portable communication terminal.

1. A cashless vending system, comprising: a vending machine for vendingcommodities; a portable communication terminal used to purchasecommodities from the vending machine; and a center device for managingthe sales of the commodities from the vending machine using the portablecommunication terminal, wherein: the vending machine comprises: a firstcode issuing means for issuing a first code about the sales of acommodity in response to a request by a user who desires to buy thecommodity; a second code obtaining means for obtaining a second codeabout commodity selling permission, which is issued by the center deviceaccording to communications with the center device by the portablecommunication terminal, via the portable communication terminal; a salescontrol means for controlling the sales of the commodity according tothe second code obtained by the second code obtaining means; and a thirdcode issuing means for issuing a third code about cancellation of thesales of the commodity according to an operation by the user; theportable communication terminal comprises: a first input means forinputting the first code which is issued by the first code issuing meansof the vending machine; a first transmitting means for sending the firstcode, which is input by the first input means, to the center device; areceiving means for receiving the second code which is issued by thecenter device; a second input means for inputting the third code whichis issued by the third code issuing means of the vending machine; and asecond transmitting means for sending the third code, which is input bythe second input means, to the center device; and the center devicecomprises: a verifying means for verifying the portable communicationterminal according to communications with the portable communicationterminal; a settlement processing means for performing a settlementprocessing according to the first code sent by the first transmittingmeans of the portable communication terminal; a second code issuingmeans for generating the second code by performing a prescribedprocessing of the first code and sending to the portable communicationterminal; and a settlement processing cancel means for canceling thesettlement processing according to the third code sent from the secondtransmitting means of the portable communication terminal.
 2. Thecashless vending system according to claim 1, wherein: the portablecommunication terminal has a display means for displaying the secondcode received by the receiving means; the vending machine has an imagereading means for reading the second code displayed on the displaymeans; and the second code obtaining means obtains the second code byreading the second code, which is displayed on the display means, by theimage reading means.
 3. The cashless vending system according to claim1, wherein: the vending machine has a display for displaying the firstcode which is issued by the first code issuing means; the portablecommunication terminal has an imaging means which is built in orexternally connected; and the first input means inputs the first code bytaking a picture of the first code, which is displayed on the display ofthe vending machine, by the imaging means.
 4. The cashless vendingsystem according to claim 1, wherein: the vending machine has: a changereturn lever, and a detecting means for detecting an operation of thechange return lever; and the third code issuing means performs aprescribed processing of the first code to generate the third code andissues it when the operation of the change return lever is detected bythe detecting means after the first code is issued by the first codeissuing means.
 5. The cashless vending system according to claim 1,wherein: the vending machine has a display for displaying the third codewhich is issued by the third code issuing means; the portablecommunication terminal has an imaging means which is built in orexternally connected; and the second input means inputs the third codeby taking a picture of the third code, which is displayed on the displayof the vending machine, by the imaging means.
 6. A cashless vendingcontrol method, comprising: issuing a first code about the sales of acommodity from a vending machine in response to a request by a user;inputting the first code, which is issued from the vending machine, to aportable communication terminal carried by the user; sending the firstcode, which is input to the portable communication terminal, from theportable communication terminal to a center device; verifying theportable communication terminal by the center device according tocommunications with the portable communication terminal; performing asettlement processing of the sales of commodity by the center deviceaccording to the first code sent from the portable communicationterminal; generating a second code about the commodity sellingpermission by performing a prescribed processing of the first code bythe center device and sending it to the portable communication terminal;displaying the second code, which is sent from the center device, on thedisplay section of the portable communication terminal and presenting itto the vending machine; reading the second code, which is displayed onthe display section of the portable communication terminal and presentedto the vending machine, by the image reading section of the vendingmachine; controlling the sales of commodity in the vending machineaccording to the second code read by the image reading section; issuinga third code about cancellation of the sales of the commodity from thevending machine in response to an operation by the user of the vendingmachine; sending the third code to the center device when the third codeis issued by the third code issuing means of the vending machine; andcanceling the settlement processing by the center device according tothe third code sent from the portable communication terminal.
 7. Thecashless vending method according to claim 6, wherein: the portablecommunication terminal displays the second code on the display sectionthereof; and the vending machine obtains the second code by reading thesecond code displayed on the display section of the portablecommunication terminal by the image reading means.
 8. The cashlessvending method according to claim 6, wherein: the vending machine has adisplay for displaying the first code; and the portable communicationterminal inputs the first code by taking a picture of the first code,which is displayed on the display of the vending machine, by an imagingmeans which is built in or externally connected to.
 9. The cashlessvending method according to claim 6, wherein the vending machineperforms a prescribed processing of the first code to generate the thirdcode and issues it when an operation of a change return lever of thevending machine is detected after the first code is issued.
 10. Thecashless vending method according to claim 6, wherein: the vendingmachine has a display for displaying the third code; and the portablecommunication terminal inputs the third code by taking a picture of thethird code, which is displayed on the display of the vending machine, byan imaging means which is built in or externally connected to.
 11. Avending machine from which a user can buy commodities by using aportable communication terminal possessed by the user, comprising: afirst code issuing means for issuing a first code about the sales of acommodity in response to a request by the user desiring the sales of thecommodity; a second code obtaining means for obtaining a second codeabout commodity selling permission, which is issued by a center deviceaccording to communications with the center device by the portablecommunication terminal, via the portable communication terminal; a salescontrol means for controlling the sales of the commodity according tothe second code obtained by the second code obtaining means; and a thirdcode issuing means for issuing a third code about cancellation of thesales of the commodity according to an operation by the user.
 12. Thevending machine according to claim 11, wherein: the third code issuingmeans performs a prescribed processing of the first code to generate thethird code and issues it when an operation of a change return lever isdetected after the first code is issued by the first code issuing means.13. A center device for settling sales made by a vending machine via aportable communication terminal possessed by a user, comprising: averifying means for verifying the portable communication terminalaccording to communications with the portable communication terminal; asettlement processing means for performing a settlement processingaccording to a first code about the sales of a commodity sent from theportable communication terminal; a second code issuing means forgenerating a second code about commodity selling permission byperforming a prescribed processing of the first code and sending it tothe portable communication terminal; and a settlement processing cancelmeans for receiving a third code about the cancellation of the commoditysales issued by the vending machine according to an operation of thevending machine via the portable communication terminal and cancelingthe settlement processing according to the received third code.